Ferguson TE20

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One of the more important technological developments to have occurred in the field of agriculture was the introduction of the Ferguson TE20 in 1946.

A bold claim maybe, but Harry Ferguson’s stroke of genius came when he designed his new lightweight machine as a tractor and plough combined, increasing the efficiency of land preparation by such a margin that farming was never the same again.

Hitherto, a tractor had simply replaced the horse, pulling the same sort of plough that had been used for generations. Harry’s breakthrough development involved two Ferguson principles – his use of variable hydraulic control for plough depth and his brilliant three-point linkage which effectively transferred the ‘pull’ of the plough into ‘downforce’ over the rear wheels. The combination of these two systems allowed the small TE20 to do the job of machines weighing five times as much.

During demonstrations, the salesman would pull a two-furrow plough through heavy clay soil, the farmer’s initial scepticism soon changing to wondrous disbelief. When he hooked up the three-furrow plough, the salesman's job was done.

Dating from January 1949, this particular petrol-engined Fergie had just one Lincolnshire owner from new until 2011, according to the V5C, and has had just one other owner since. Said to be in good running order, it has seen light use only over the past five years, mainly being used for grass cutting around the grounds of the vendor’s property. It is road registered and retains its original HWT 828 registration number which is transferable.

With Fergie prices rising strongly of late, it looks an absolute snip at the modest guide price suggested.